---
title: "Roger Sandberg | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/roger-sandberg-judge-whitman-county-superior-court-743-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Roger Sandberg

Whitman County - Superior Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Whitman County - Superior Court
- State: Washington
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### photography recording

Scope: statewide

Washington GR 16 allows video recording, audio recording, and still photography by the news media in courtrooms only after the judge has expressly granted permission.

Evidence excerpt: Video and audio recording and still photography by the news media are allowed in the courtroom during and between sessions, provided (1) that permission shall have first been expressly granted by the judge

[Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### limitations on recording

Scope: statewide

If a Washington judge limits courtroom photography or recording, GR 16 requires particularized findings on the record and treats open access as presumed.

Evidence excerpt: Open access is presumed; limitations on access must be supported by reasons found by the judge to be sufficiently compelling to outweigh that presumption

[Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=743&orgid=731)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=743&orgid=731)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=743&orgid=731)
- [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/roger-sandberg-judge-whitman-county-superior-court-743-wa",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/roger-sandberg-judge-whitman-county-superior-court-743-wa",
      "name": "Roger Sandberg | KnowJudges",
      "description": "Roger Sandberg, Whitman County - Superior Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.",
      "dateModified": "2026-07-26",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/roger-sandberg-judge-whitman-county-superior-court-743-wa#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/roger-sandberg-judge-whitman-county-superior-court-743-wa#judge",
      "name": "Roger Sandberg",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/roger-sandberg-judge-whitman-county-superior-court-743-wa",
      "jobTitle": "Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "Whitman County - Superior Court"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=743&orgid=731"
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "KnowJudges",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Washington",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/washington"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Roger Sandberg",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/roger-sandberg-judge-whitman-county-superior-court-743-wa"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

## Biography

### Professional career

- The current Whitman County Superior Court Judge in Washington, sworn in on January 3, 2025, after winning a contested election
- 17 years in private legal practice in Whitman County. 14 years as District Court Judge Pro Tem
- Public defender and partner at Esser, Sandberg & Boyd
- Served as Superior Court Commissioner before election

### Education

- Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Whitworth College
- Law degree from the University of Washington School of Law

### Additional information

- He won a competitive race and was sworn in on January 3, 2025, by Judge Libey
- Filled in on the bench for Judge Gary Libey before running for the seat
- Sandberg ran for the open Superior Court seat after Judge Gary Libey announced retirement



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7133c6bd26c80972b86e0d31) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.